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Figures

Anti-OspA antibody correlate of protection. P. leucopus mice received 30 units of oral RTV over a period of 8 weeks. Blood was collected on days 14, 28, 42, 56, and 70 to evaluate the levels of OspA-specific IgG (OD450), the amount of LA-2 equivalent antibody (ng/ml), and the neutralizing capacity of the OspA-specific antibody as measured by counting live B. burgdorferi spirochetes on day 70 (Live Bb, NeutrA). Mice were challenged with naturally infected field nymphal ticks, and at termination, bladder tissue was tested for the presence of B. burgdorferi by culture and PCR. OspA-RTV (EcA), reservoir targeted vaccine, which is a bait vaccine composed of E. coli cells expressing B. burgdorferi OspA (EcA) mixed with oatmeal; Control (Ec), E. coli cells transformed with empty vector mixed with oatmeal; NeutrA, neutralization assay; cPCR, PCR done with cultures of bladder tissue. Data are representative of one of two independent experiments.